Israeli forces raided Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's Ramallah compound this morning, just hours before Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was due to meet US President George W. Bush in Washington.
Local Palestinian residents said at least two dozen tanks, armored personnel carriers and jeeps thrust into the West Bank city of Ramallah shortly before dawn, covered by helicopters hovering overhead and bursts of machinegun fire.
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An Israeli army tank takes up a position in front of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat compound in Ramallah Photograph: Reuters
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A Palestinian policeman was killed by Israeli gunfire during the raid, Palestinian security sources said.
Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said Mr Arafat was in the compound but was safe. Israel has repeatedly said it does not intend to harm the Palestinian leader.
Residents said armored Israeli bulldozers were destroying the ruins of buildings damaged in a similar Israeli raid last week that was launched after a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 17 people, including 13 soldiers, on a civilian bus.
An Israeli military source confirmed there was an operation underway in Ramallah and said it was aimed at "arresting militants and destroying the terror infrastructure."
The source said the operation would be "limited in duration" and was similar to numerous other Israeli raids into Palestinian ruled cities which have taken place on an almost daily basis.
Mr Abed Rabbo accused Israel of trying to undermine the Palestinian Authority at a time it was undertaking new reforms.
"This operation is underway while Sharon resumes his visit to Washington. This shows that the US administration supports this occupation and operation," Mr Abed Rabbo said.